The Case of Richard Clifford Kennedy, Lieutenant, 2nd Light Regiment of the Bombay Army: A Narrative in Letters to the Bombay Times (Part 13)

Rob Van Craenenburg, University of Ghent

[These materials on the case of Lt. Kennedy have been adapted, with the permission
of the author, from his course
website. The author may be contacted at Rob.VanCraenenburg@rug.ac.be.
GPL]

Lt. R. C. Kennedy to Col. Stock, Adjudant General of the Army

Camp Neemuch,
15th October, 1860.

Sir,

I have this day seen in Regimental Orders my name struck off the strength
of the Bombay Army. I have the honor most respectfully to request the favor
of your obtaining from His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief's permission
to assemble a court of Enquiry to investigate my case, as I have been removed
from the Army without having had the opportunity of defending myself from
the accusations made against me by malicious enemies, and as I am not aware
that I have done anything derogatory or unbecoming the conduct of an Officer
and a Gentleman.

I earnestly beg this favor may be accorded me.
I propose starting for Bombay immediately, and will do myself the honor
of waiting on you for a reply to the application.

I have served in the Indian Army nearly thirteen
years, and find myself now turned adrift without any means of procuring
a livelihood, and without having been condemned by a military tribunal.

When in Bombay in March last, the Adjudant General
(then Colonel Green) made enquiries regarding my conduct, and I was permitted
to rejoin my Regiment, a distance of upwards 500 miles from the Presidency,
consequently I concluded my case was settled satisfactory, or I would not
have incurred the expense of so long a journey.

I have also, I beg leave to represent, since I
rejoined my Regiment, been under suspension and deprived of my Troop and
allowances, as well as the Interpretership of the Regiment which my having
passed in the languages entitled me to, moreover I would remark that being
under suspension without the sentence of a Court Martial, appears an anomaly
and I think a proceeding not usual in the Army. I may be wrong in saying
so, and I beg leave to apologize should I be in error; the pecuniary loss
to me during five months suspension is considerable. I trust I may be pardoned
thus troubling you, but as the loss of my Commission is serious affair,
I hope I may be pardoned, and that H.E. the Commander-in-Chief will see
fit to have my case inquired into--